I live in the Northeast part of the USA and I am in the market for a new GPS because I hate my current one. That would be the Magellan RoadMate 2200T which I purchased refurbished and on sale at MicroCenter several months back. I wound up paying as much for the one software update they offered as I did the unit and I still hate it - it’s clunky, useless for points of interest and the maps will always be stuck in 2006. The directions is gives are also useless - I find myself using MapQuest directions on trips where I have to arrive in a timely fashion because their directions are almost always faster than the GPS.
The first one I had before this, a Mio Moov 200, actually worked fine for me. It was a cheap, entry-level GPS with a decent POI bank and it did the job just fine until it suddenly locked up and would not load after a year of use.
So I am looking for a new GPS. Here is my criteria:
My main importance would be updated maps/the ability to have updated maps and I increasingly desire traffic data (something I have had on none of the above but do have on my Sprint Treo 800w). I don’t know how that works, whether I need a subscription or if that information comes with units now but if there’s an option, I prefer no subscribing.
I like a robust POI database. I must admit getting a selection of different voices is cute and can help alleviate boredom while driving. Operation should be simple enough where I can do a thing or two while driving without risking life and limb to push 432 buttons.
I have been doing the cheap thing before but I don’t mind paying a little more for my GPS now since it is increasingly more important to my sanity. I also don’t mind buying a refurbished unit. I would like to spend $150 or so but would pay more if the thing looked like it would fit/exceed my needs and has a reputation for durability.
What are you guys using and what can you recommend?
Ooh, may I please ride on your coattails? I’ve been meaning to get my mother a GPS because she, well, let’s say one of her talents is getting lost. I also don’t want to spend a crap load of money because I don’t like spending crap loads of money, but I will spend extra if it does what is needed very well. The criteria for my mother are more or less similar, with emphasis on simplicity of use.
You can’t go wrong with the Garmin Nuvi units. They have a bunch of different models with slightly different screen sizes and features like traffic monitoring. They all work well and are easy to use. Just pick the one that suits your needs and budget the best.
Just got a Nuvi 500 and I’m thrilled with it. Besides using it for driving, it has flexibility to be used in biking/walking/hiking/geocaching modes (and boating if you buy the maps). It’s also waterproof, unlike the majority of units out there.
I pretty much would never bother with anything but a Garmin. I’ve mostly used hand held models but I have played with automotive versions and like them as well. My favorite feature of Garmin units is the customer service. I’m pretty rough on my hand held units and the few that I’ve managed to break were fixed by Garmin at little to no cost.
I’ve never used a Garmin, but my TomTom has always worked great for me, though I rarely use it as I don’t generally go anywhere where I already don’t know how to get there!
I like any of the Tom Tom units with IQ routing. The first update (to the maps) is free but the rest cost an arm and a leg but I think it is the same with all of the providers isn’t it ? I definitely would stick with either TomTom or Garmin - I had a Nextar one that was a real POS and not nearly as easy to use as my TomTom.
Alternately you could get an android based phone and a mount and use that as your GPS when you need one, if you like the routes google maps gives.
Based on the advice above, I am leaning towards picking up a Garmin nüvi® 265T. It seems to have all of what I need and a few things I like (Bluetooth amongst them) and I see it is readilly available online in the $120 area (and as low as $100 for refurbished models).
Unless someone talks me out of it, that’s my next GPS.
I got the Garmin nuvi 265T last year when it was about $200 and I’m very happy with it. It has a smaller width screen than some, which is actually an advantage if you’re using it in pedestrian mode. It also comes with European coverage, which I’ve used twice and can really be useful on vacation. The only slight problem I’ve had is that it takes about 20 minutes to figure out where it is when you switch continents. Also has lots of voices, which is great because you will get sick of the default voice (Jill, aka MapBitch) real quick.
